The Guam International Airport Authority is opening the concourse to non-ticketed visitors for the first time in decades, a move officials hope will boost business inside the terminal as questions remain about the future of Guam’s duty-free industry.

The program also brings back something many travelers haven’t seen since before 9/11: the ability to send-off loved ones past TSA.

At a time when Guam’s airport is facing uncertainty over its duty-free operations, officials are opening the concourse to the public, hoping more people inside the terminal also means more revenue. The airport this week launched its new Concourse Access Pass program, allowing non-ticketed visitors to enter the terminal without purchasing an airline ticket.

Guam International Airport Authority executive manager John Quinata explained, saying, "Basically, the main goal is to afford people, especially ones that have never been or never traveled to access the airport, the concourse in the airport. And to possibly go shopping in our specialty concessions or to the food and beverage, you know, the restaurants that are here."

:It’s a very new program that TSA has approved and we’re just following suit with other airports in the US that have adopted this program."

The timing is significant. Lotte Duty Free’s contract with the airport is set to expire in July, with negotiations underway over a possible extension.

At the same time, the airport has issued an RFP for a future duty-free operator. The move also comes weeks after DFS Guam closed down in Tumon, raising questions about tourism spending on island.

"The other [benefit] is that there's possibly some vendors or some things that are being sold inside our concourse area from the duty-free area that may not be available outside," Quinata continued.

But the program also reopens a conversation many airports moved away from after the September 11, 2011 attacks. Before 9/11, it was common for families and friends to walk travelers to their gates to say goodbye. After the attacks, security rules sharply limited access to ticketed passengers only.

Now, Guam’s airport is bringing part of that experience back, as the executive director said, "Instead of seeing your loved ones outside or your relatives outside, you can follow them inside into the airport and see them off."

But Quinata assures security will still be tight, noting, "So anyone going through this process, it's the same security requirements as a passenger. You cannot bring in any weapons. You cannot bring in any liquids beyond a certain amount."

He says applicants must apply online and pass a TSA background screening before receiving approval. Visitors still go through standard TSA security screening, passes are limited each day, and access is only available during certain hours.

Quinata adds non-travelers will not be allowed to purchase duty-free alcohol or tobacco products. "I just want to make sure that hopefully that we can continue the program and not have folks do things where they'll discontinue it because they're doing things that may not be legal," he said.

The Concourse Access Pass program is now active daily from 4am until 7pm, though all access remains subject to TSA approval and daily capacity limits.